Derek Cooper is an author, educator, and leader dedicated to helping people connect with God. He holds a PhD in the history of religion and an MBA in entrepreneurial management. Having traveled to more than eighty countries and authored more than fifteen books, his expertise spans church history, world religions, ancient languages, and spiritual formation. He is the founder of Thomas Institute, an educational travel company that organizes trips to the lands of the Bible and shares global faith insights through its popular YouTube channel.